Plate Heat Exchanger Flow Layout for Lower Refrigerant Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing heat exchangers, the formation of dead water zones within plate members leads to increased pressure loss of refrigerant due to non-uniform flow patterns, which negatively impacts efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger design incorporates recesses and communication passages in plate members to redirect refrigerant flow, preventing the formation of dead water zones and promoting uniform flow distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If plate members are stacked to form refrigerant passages, then heat exchange function is provided, but dead water zones form causing increased pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The plate member is segmented into multiple functional regions: a main refrigerant passage, a branch passage, a reservoir, and a communication passage. This segmentation divides the flow path to prevent dead water zones while maintaining effective heat exchange area, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and pressure loss reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication passage acts as an intermediary element connecting the main refrigerant passage to the reservoir. This intermediary structure redirects refrigerant flow to eliminate dead water zones without significantly increasing overall device complexity, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If flow inlet and outlet are positioned at ends of refrigerant passage, then refrigerant flow is established, but non-uniform flow distribution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dimensional change by adding a branch passage that extends from the main refrigerant passage in a perpendicular direction. This creates a three-dimensional flow distribution pattern from the two-dimensional end-to-end inlet-outlet configuration, promoting more uniform flow distribution across the heat exchange surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the plate member are given different functional qualities: the main passage handles primary refrigerant flow, the branch passage distributes flow to specific areas, and the reservoir collects and redistributes refrigerant. This local differentiation of passage functions achieves uniform flow distribution while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces refrigerant pressure loss and enhances heat exchange performance by ensuring uniform flow distribution and minimizing vortex losses.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant passages and a fluid flowing through the plurality of fluid passages
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of plate members are stacked together to form a plurality of refrigerant passages and a plurality of fluid passages. At least one plate member among the plate members includes: a flow inlet which is placed at one end portion of a corresponding refrigerant passage formed at the at least one plate member and is configured to input the refrigerant into the corresponding refrigerant passage; a flow outlet which is placed at another end portion of the corresponding refrigerant passage and is configured to output the refrigerant conducted through the corresponding refrigerant passage; a recess which is placed adjacent to one of the flow inlet and the flow outlet; a communication passage which is configured to communicate the one of the flow inlet and the flow outlet to the recess; and a partition wall which partitions between the corresponding refrigerant passage and the communication passage.